How to Master the Perfect Blog Post

The average adult’s attention span is now down to just 8 seconds – a second less than the attention span of a goldfish. How do you keep your readers interested in your blog?

There is an art to blogging; it requires specific skills to ensure a post’s sentences are seamlessly sculpted, its storyline creatively seductive.

At the same time, marketers and writers know there is also a certain science behind it. If you want to write the perfect blog post, you must follow the formula for success.

Take a look at our blogging guidelines below. It may take some experimenting to master the right combination of ingredients, but the end result is always worth it.

The Key to Quality Content

The perfect blog post offers the right amount of information in precisely the right manner – to keep the reader interested and informed. Its subheads are strategically placed; its calls-to-action are subtle, yet effective. Most importantly, its content includes the ideal mix of emotional triggers and practical advice, which is essential to establishing a connection with the reader and convincing them to come back for more.

Research has revealed our attention spans are smaller than ever, thanks to the growing presence of smartphones, tablets and other devices. You have approximately one second to hook a reader in and convince them to keep reading your post.[Tweet this]

Less is, most definitely, more. Craft your blog post to include the following:

1. A Compelling HeadlineYour headline is the first impression you make on a prospective reader. It has one clear goal: to entice web users to click and read more.

2. A Persuasive OpeningUse key insights to hook the reader in, but keep it concise. Tell the reader exactly what he or she will gain from reading the rest of the post.

3. Suggestive SubheadsHelp guide your reader through the post with good subheads. Offer small blocks of content separated by clear mini-headlines so readers can scan content quickly and efficiently.

4. Key InsightsGive your reader something to take something aware from the post – fresh knowledge, new understanding, an emotional connection. Keep them interested in the post with internal cliffhangers.

5. Strong ImageryReaders want to be visually stimulated. Include powerful photos, informative infographics or compelling video to support your story.

6. A Call-To-ActionThis could be a prompt to sign up for your newsletter, a link to another post on your blog, or a simple push for social media follows. The goal of a call-to-action on your blog is to convert visitors into long time readers. From there, you can take the relationship to the next level – convincing readers to become customers, or customers to become brand ambassadors.

The Ideal Blog Layout

So you understand the ingredients needed for crafting the perfect post, but how do you go about arranging each of these components?

Social Triggers shares a map to the perfect blog post design. Our team at Bright Blue Wave refers to it regularly when plotting out blog content, and we have included it here for you.

For more tips on creating compelling content for your blog and social media channels, scroll down to the bottom of this page and sign up for our newsletter.